Texas Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Receives National Award

Kyson Johnson, Texas’ only dedicated insurance fraud prosecutor, has been named 2011 Prosecutor of the Year by the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud.

Johnson was honored for his successful record in prosecuting criminals involved with various forms of insurance fraud including staged car accidents, owner give up schemes, arson and theft of premiums.

During his seven years as special prosecutor in the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office, Johnson has prosecuted more than 250 cases of insurance fraud that have resulted in $250,000 in fines and $7 million in restitution.

Texas Insurance Commissioner Eleanor Kitzman praised Johnson for his work. “Kyson Johnson has a noteworthy record of achievements as an insurance fraud prosecutor, a litigator and army officer,” Kitzman said. “Kyson’s efforts have enhanced communication, cooperation and the effectiveness of Texas anti-fraud initiatives.”

Johnson is also a major in the U.S. Army Reserve serving as a deputy regional defense counsel. He served time in Iraq as a prosecutor in the aftermath of the Abu Ghraib prison scandal.

Johnson has a unique arrangement specializing in insurance fraud cases within the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office, but is a paid employee of the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI). Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins says Johnson has made the most of this unique situation.

“Kyson Johnson is a talented prosecutor whose expertise has made a tremendous impact on our ability to seek justice on insurance fraud cases in Dallas County,” said Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins. “We are extremely proud to have him on our team and we look forward to continuing our successful relationship with the Texas Department of Insurance.”

Johnson reports to TDI’s Associate Commissioner of Fraud Dennis Pompa. Pompa said Johnson’s work within the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office has proved invaluable and his ability to liaison with law enforcement officers and special investigators has been a tremendous asset.

The Prosecutor of the Year Award is the only national award to honor anti-fraud prosecutors for excellence in the courtroom and leadership within the anti-fraud community. The award encourages best practices in fraud prosecutions by highlighting the work of the profession’s best and brightest.

“Kyson Johnson sets the bar very high as an insurance-fraud prosecutor. He’s an imposing legal force whose personal belief in cleaning up this crime earned him a long list of deserved fraud convictions in the Dallas region this year,” says Dennis Jay, executive director of the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud.

Johnson has played an integral role in the Texas Committee on Insurance Fraud which has supported insurance fraud legislation strengthening criminal penalties and outlawing “ambulance chasing” which took effect this year.

Johnson is the son of missionaries who served in Malawi and Zimbabwe, Africa. He has one sister and two brothers who are police officers in Oklahoma. Johnson is a 1995 graduate of the Texas Wesleyan University School of Law. On his off time Johnson competes in triathlons and has qualified for the Boston Marathon five times.